Politics & Government

Two New Islands for Heather Farm Pond

Volunteers make plantings on artificial islands made from recycled plastic.

A gaggle of volunteers and enthusiasts representing a local school, fly fishermen group and the mayor rolled up their sleeves Tuesday and planted a couple floating islands in the cement pond at Heather Farm Park.

The BioHaven islands, 10 feet square, are certified non-toxic, recycled plastic bases with plants growing on mulch and sending down roots into the pond. The roots create habitat for little lake creatures and the result should be an increase in quantity and size of fish in the pond such as bluegill, black bass, trout and catfish, said Dave McCants of Concord, a member of the Diablo Valley Fly Fishermen. Other volunteers were students from Seven Hills School, a quarter-mile away, and the Walnut Creek Open Space Foundation. McCants said he brought the BioHaven island idea to city staff's attention about a half-year ago.

The project conforms nicely with the fishing club's emphasis on conservation, said Wayne Hofer of Martinez.

Mayor Bob Simmons brought a pair of work gloves and showed the Seven Hills students some nuances of digging in the dirt.


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